Accused Bondi Shooters Operated Independently and Did Not Preparation in the Philippines, Authorities Say.

The pair of accused individuals responsible for the deadly incident at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have acted alone, according to Australian law enforcement.

Police additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved arriving in the capital Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.

Lack of Proof of Planning During Trip

Police assert the duo did not undergo any type of attack-related instruction or "organizing" during their time in the Philippines. Early investigations from Philippine authorities suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.

The attack—described as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially classified as a act of terrorism.

"We are actively examining the footage," she said, noting that early assessments indicate that "the alleged offenders are believed to have been lone actors."

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian investigators.

"There is no evidence to support the idea these suspects were part of a wider terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from external parties to carry out an incident," the police chief emphasized.

However, the men were likewise not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official added. She underscored that, since the inquiry is still active, additional details may surface.

Inspiration and Legal Charges

Earlier, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it appears both accused attackers were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.

During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying rifles—allegedly shot attendees at the Hanukkah event.

Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 charges. These comprise 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is due to appear in court in April.

Immigration Information

In the days following the attack, immigration authorities in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.

The two had stated the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.

Davao is a expansive metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. Historically, Islamist groups have been known to operate in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.